The Illawarra Premier League's coaching merry-go-round has continued, with Bellambi announcing they will have a new head coach in 2021.
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The Rosellas on Thursday afternoon unveiled Jeff Allport as their IPL coach for next season. He will take over the reins from Andrew Paine, who recently told club officials that he would be departing.
Allport coached Coniston's IPL side in 2020, and his vacant position has been taken over by former Corrimal coach Rob Jonovski for next season.
It is Allport's third club in the past four seasons. After leaving Wollongong United in 2018, he coached at Coniston for the past two seasons.
Allport told the Mercury that it was an "exciting" opportunity to lead the Rosellas in 2021.
"The first decision I had to make was whether I wanted to keep going, and I do. Previously, it wasn't really an option because I didn't know what Andrew's situation was. But once he said to the club that he won't be staying on, it was one of those sliding doors moments. I'm looking forward to it," Allport said.
"I was really impressed with the way they played this year, they've got a really good core group of players there and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with them, and see where that takes us.
"The committee has been really supportive, there's no expectations. It's about playing some attractive football which is what I want to do. I want to get the balance right between some experience and giving opportunities to some young players, and being challenged by being in the Premier League. It will be a good competition next year so it will be good to part of it."
Allport departs Coniston after the side finished 10th in this year's IPL. However, the coach leaves with no regrets.
"I had a great time. It's a very well run club and I appreciated the opportunity to be part of it," he said.
"I'm hoping and I think that I've left them in good shape to go forward and do some good things in the years to come. I'm pretty proud of that, having worked with [club president] John [Karayiannis] closely in establishing them in the Premier League and away they go."
Read more: Woonona re-commit to McGoldrick as IPL coach
It's been a big couple of weeks for IPL coaching announcements, after Woonona's Dan McGoldrick and Tarrawanna's Peter Willis confirmed they will stay with their respective clubs in 2021.
Last month, Port Kembla unveiled former Cringila coach Stuart Beedie as their head coach for 2021. Cringila's interim coach Paul Michlmayr has taken over the reins to lead the Lions next season.